The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia

Photo by me, April 2014
On the south side of Athens not far from downtown and the University of Georgia campus scene is the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. The university operates the expansive 313 acres of gardens and forest that contain over 300,000 different species of plants. From indoor to outdoor gardens, nature trails and the Middle Oconee River there is plenty to see and it is all free to the public.

I've visited in the spring and summer seasons and have found the gardens beautiful both times, but personally I enjoyed them in summer more when the gardens were more showy.


Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012
Photo by me, June 2012.
Photo by me, June 2012.

In the summer the gardens are bursting and singing with color like a Bach concerto at an allegro tempo. However, the time I visited in spring I was underwhelmed by the gardens. Perhaps I timed it wrong in early April and I missed most of the early blooms that year or I was too early - it had been a cool spring that year and. There were a few tulips in bloom along with dogwood trees, azaleas, honeysuckle and yellow bell bushes, but for the most part the gardens were rather dull.

Empty spring beds. Photo by me, April 2014.
Photo by me, April 2014.
A very modest display of tulips. Photo by me, April 2014.
Photo by me, April 2014.
That trip in spring was a let down as I was bringing visitors I had from Canada and had told them how beautiful the gardens were on my previous visits. So to arrive in spring and see very little blooming was disappointing and I felt like I had oversold the place which is my fault. It was still a nice day to stroll the grounds.

Photo by me, April 2014.
Piedmont azalea. Photo by me, April 2014.
Photo by me, April 2014.
In addition to the outdoor gardens there is also the two-level tropical conservatory building that houses a rotating collection of tropical plants, a gift shop, restrooms and a cafe. Inside the conservatory is like walking through a miniature tropical forest.

The tropical conservatory building. Photo by me, June 2012.
Photo by me, June 2012.
Photo by me, June 2012.
Photo by me, June 2012.
 
Photo by me, June 2012.


The entire State Botanical Gardens is a preserve that contains over five miles of nature trails that was established in 1968. These gardens are older than the nearby and more popular Atlanta Botanical Garden which began in in 1976. I've always felt that the admission to the Atlanta Botanical Garden was too expensive for what it offers especially considering that many botanical gardens are free and less gimmicky.

In summer there is so much to see and enjoy at the State Botanical Gardens that I highly recommend it even in the sweltering heat and humidity of the south. I need to pay a visit in spring again to see if it was my timing that got the spring blooms wrong and of course come in the fall to see what the landscape offers. If ever in Athens and you need a tranquil place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature make a stop here.